UCLA received a piece of good news Saturday when it learned point guard Darren Collison could return within one to two weeks. An MRI revealed that Collison has a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

However, the Bruins did receive some bad news. Guard Michael Roll ruptured his plantar fascia during Saturday’s practice and will be out three to five weeks. Roll was praised by Ben Howland for his sharp shooting during preseason workouts and was vying for the fifth and final starting position.

Also, Josh Shipp injured the thumb on his shooting hand in Friday’s exhibition game but stayed in the game. He had pain every time he touched the ball in Saturday’s practice and Howland took him out after that. Shipp had an X-ray, but it was negative and the injury isn’t believed to be serious. He’s doubtful for Monday’s exhibition against Chico State, but Howland expects him to play in Friday’s season opener against Portland State.

Still, Collison’s report was good for Howland’s nerves. Collison is the one player the Bruins can ill afford to lose to injury.

“It is an unbelievable relief,” Howland said in a conference call on Saturday. “As you can imagine, I was sick to my gut just thinking about all of the possibilities, but didn’t want to talk about them until I knew what the facts were.”

A mild sprain of the MCL is a stretching of the ligament. There is no tear but perhaps tearing of microfibers. Still, Collison can return to practice once he has no limitations with pain, Howland said.

Collison injured the knee when he reached for a steal in the game’s first minute and wasn’t contacted by another player. Collison stayed in the game and played 26 minutes before he left with pain. He left on crutches. When he returns, it will be with a brace, at least for a few weeks.

“That was really good news,” said Darren’s mom, June Collison.

“I have to be honest with you, I kept calling (to find out the results).”

Roll had an injection for plantar fascia about six weeks to two months ago, Howland said. He was wearing orthotics and that seemed to help, according to Howland.

“It is terrible timing because he has been playing so well,” Howland said. “Mike, clearly, is one of the guys who makes our team the best offensive team it can be.”

Roll had pain all summer and in late September, he missed a few weeks and was walking in a boot and even sleeping in the boot.

“Now that it’s ruptured, he’s probably less likely to have major problems when it heals,” Howland said.

Nikola Dragovic and freshman Chase Stanback probably will get more minutes filling in for Roll. Since guard depth is an issue, Luc Mbah a Moute will probably play more small forward than power forward for now. Howland said he would start Mbah a Moute, Alfred Aboya, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook (Leuzinger High) but is undecided on the fifth spot, depending on if Shipp plays. Westbrook will run the point on Monday.